Cocaine Addiction

What Cocaine Does To The Body

A stimulant that floods the brain with dopamine.

Cocaine causes a flood of dopamine — the brain's "feel-good" chemical — disrupting normal nerve cell function and producing an intense high.

Like other addictive drugs, cocaine directly activates the brain's reward pathway, the system responsible for reinforcing behavior and forming memory. The nucleus accumbens, the brain's "pleasure center," experiences intense dopamine signaling as cocaine either prompts brain cells to release more dopamine or blocks it from being cleared out.

Causes

Why cocaine addiction develops.

Addiction is multi-factorial. People with a first-degree relative who has an addiction face a higher hereditary risk, and environmental exposure — regular use among family and friends — significantly increases susceptibility. Peer pressure, low socioeconomic status, and a lack of parental guidance also contribute. Long-term changes in the nucleus accumbens affect how it responds to glutamate, contributing to persistent drug cravings.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing cocaine use.

Physical signs

• Constricted blood vessels
• Dilated pupils
• Hypersensitivity to light, touch, sound
• Nausea
• High body temperature
• High blood pressure, fast heart rate
• Euphoric happiness
• Muscle twitches, tremors
• Seizures

Mental signs

• Extreme excitability
• Irritability, restlessness
• Heightened alertness
• High energy
• Paranoia

Long-Term Effects

The physical toll of long-term use.

• Nosebleeds
• Bowel decay
• Malnourishment
• Diminished sense of smell
• Difficulty swallowing
• Movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease)
• HIV, Hepatitis C, other bloodborne diseases

Withdrawal

What withdrawal from cocaine looks like.

Because cocaine has a short half-life, withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 90 minutes of use. A binge is usually followed by a "crash" and intense cravings, followed by physical withdrawal symptoms — psychological cravings can persist for months after cessation.

Physical & mental signs

Agitation, restlessness, depression, general malaise, fatigue, increased appetite, vivid nightmares, slowed activity, cravings, and suicidal ideation.

Overdose signs

Tremors and shakiness, seizures, prolonged wakefulness, rapid and excessive speech, violent behavior, paranoia, a fast heart rate, increased blood pressure, agitation, stroke, heart attack, nausea and vomiting, high fever, and hyperthermia. Cocaine overdose is a medical emergency.

Treatment At Two Dreams

How we treat cocaine addiction.

Two Dreams treats cocaine addiction through our 3-7-3 Model — three treatment phases (Coming In, Looking In, Looking Out), seven wellness dimensions (abstinence, peer support, professional guidance, medication review, nutrition, exercise, and ritual), and three outcomes we help each client establish and sustain: mental peace, physical well-being, and personal productivity.

Treatment combines 12-step philosophy with behavioral therapies, motivational enhancement therapy, psychiatric care, daily process groups, individual counseling, physical activity, nutritional guidance, journaling, and mindfulness practice. Two Dreams does not provide on-site detoxification but coordinates referrals to nearby clinics before admission, and the program maintains a maximum of 10 clients at a time so each person's progress can be evaluated individually.